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Thursday, May 26, 2005

Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience. It isn't more complicated that that. It is opening to or recieving the present moment, pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it.

-Author Unknown

This quote couldn't have come a better time. Lately I have been having a difficult time being a "formal Buddhist." I haven't "officially" been meditating everyday but I have been living in mindful awareness of the present tense. I am riding the crest of the wave to stay in the present moment, "pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without either clinging to it or rejecting it." I think that often we cling to the structures of Buddhism including: formal meditation, koans and other forms of spiritual materialism instead of just living, breathing and observing. I think that it is more important to live life for each moment then to be the "best Buddhist." Because in the end "Buddhist" is just another hollow attachment.

3 comments:

'Being a Buddhist' is another concept, and it's a view of oneself that can keep one stuck. But culturing the way of the Buddha with a sincere mind, with a modest view of oneself and ones abilities, mindful that one is a frail human being who will slip... and who needs to ask for the Buddhas and bodhisattvas to help - that is a more realistic and achievable way. At least, that is what I find.

I have been thinking about and am now trying to compose an essay regarding mindfulness. I read this post on the day you put it up, find it was something maturing and mellowing in mind. Today, I come back to it to exploit it for the purpose of the task immediately before me and with the hope that I will use its message to improve my future writing and my worldview.

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About Me

A Zen Buddhist who follows in the tradition of Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh but I enjoy teachings from all Buddhist traditions. In addition, I am influenced by Taoism and Secular Humanism. I am also a nature lover and live with Schizo-Affective Disorder. The blog is titled, "The Buddhist Blog" because it was all that I could think of for a name. It does not mean that somehow I think my blog is the definitive blog on Buddhism. It is not. It is one traveler's footprints and nothing more. I am not a Buddhist teacher. This blog is a journal of my humble travels as I try to follow the middle path of Buddhism. Take my hand and walk with me for awhile. I have a university degree in U.S. History with a special emphasis in African history. As well as a minor in World Geography.
Contact me: jaymur@gmail.com